The West Highland Way is one of the finest of Britains long-distance paths. It passes through six separate mountain ranges, running from Scotlands largest city, Glasgow alongside her longest loch, to the foot of Scotlands highest mountains. But it runs close to a busy main road and avoids the mountain tops.
NOT The West Highland Way makes the most of the surrounding area, taking in sights that the linear Way doesn't allow. It crosses Ben Lomond and Beinn Dorain, the charming Campsie Fells and the mighty Mamores, while the crossing of the Black Mount from Inveroran to Glen Coe represents the best pub-to-pub to be found in Britain. Much better to cross these mountains than to pass them on your way by.
With mountain alternatives to all but one of the West Highland Way's nine standard stages, this guidebook takes you on a higher and wilder journey. By taking the best of what the standard Way has to offer and adding in all its diversions away from the linear paths, and get to the heart of what makes the West Highland Way so great.
5 one-day hill outings described from Rowardennan, Inverarnan, Crianlarich, Inveroran and Fort William
8 mountain alternatives create a fantastic 14-day walk
includes two 2-day backpack trips and 3 extended routes off the Way to Dalwhinnie, Inverie and as far north as Cape Wrath all illustrated with OS map extracts and packed with backpack facts for first-timers long distance walkers
Seasons
April to October, with May, June and September as the best months of all; a few routes have some access limitations during stag stalking from August to October; winter months are also enjoyable for tough types.
Centres
Loch Lomond, Taynuilt, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Kinlochleven, Corrour Station, Fort William.
Difficulty
Moderate day walks over small hills and pathed Munros; pathless but grassy ridges and high passes; treks of two or three days on valley paths; a rough crossing of Rannoch Moor; map reading and compass/GPS skills needed on the more serious routes; some non-technical scrambling.
Must See
Loch Lomond from overhead; sunrise from the summit corrie of Ben Lui; woods and waterfalls of River Leven; long, lonely Loch Etive; Glen Nevis from its bleak head down to its Himalayan-style gorge
